Inhale. Exhale.

Inhale.
Exhale.

The air bubbles push their way along my scalp,
tickling me as they find their way to the surface.
My entire body rises and falls with the flow of my breath.
Inhale: the cold air produces goose bumps.
Exhale: wrapped in the warm water.
Bubbles produce a rainbow sheen that makes the room look brighter.
They creep to the corners of my eyes as I shut them tightly to the burn that would occur from the soap contained within.
I smell the sweet, sunflowery-mixed-with-apple scent of candles.

Inhale.
Exhale.

My body loosens as the angst of the day floats away.
My strained muscles relax.
My worried mind releases.
In this place, in this bath, in this cocoon of a few square feet, I am allowed to rest.
For a few brief moments,
I am given time to focus on me.

Inhale.
Exhale.

I point my toes, feeling my calves flex and stretch.
I turn my fingers into a fist then open handed.
I rest my head on the water and let my thoughts float away.
The water surrounds me like a blanket, providing warmth and security.
With the absence of clothes,  in my nakedness, I return to all that I was given at the beginning.
In that place, I am the most "me" I will ever be.
In that place, I am learning to be proud of who that "me" is.

July 15, 2018